Is the Florence Public Library for Only Certain People?

 

Michael White is a community activist and frequent speaker at Florence City Council meetings. He is also the head of Vote 'Em All Out and had attempted to bring some citizens together at the Florence Public Library for a meeting.

We say attempted, because even though the group is non-partisan, he was denied the use of any of the library's facilities. Here's his take on it:

I decided it might be of public interest to have a meeting of those who are like minded and want to see new leaders in the city to discuss the upcoming election. I was contemplating where to have a meeting and I remembered that there were meeting rooms at the Florence library. I called the library and talked with the meeting room coordinator: Kaitlyn Belue. I told her why I was requesting a meeting space. Ms. Belue was very helpful and informed me that the room could only be used by non-profit or civic groups and none associated with an individual political candidate. She told me I could fill out the application at the Florence Lauderdale Public Library website and we ended the conversation.

I filled out the application online and used the name: Citizens for a Better Florence for the "group". I even went so far as to go online and fill in the preliminary application for a 501c3 status although this was not to be a non-profit organization. Only a group of citizens protesting local government and wanting to see changes made.Not one hour later I received the following email:

Hi, Michael
Thank you for filling out the form. After reviewing, we don't allow political groups to meet here at the library. I hope you can find an alternate space.
Thanks. Have a great rest of your day!
--
Kaitlyn Belue
Meeting Room Coordinator
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
350 North Wood Ave.
Florence, AL. 35630

Today, I went to the library and started talking with Ms. Belue but almost immediately, I was approached by the "Executive Director" Abby Carpenter who told me that she would have to consult with the library board before approving my application. I asked her why and she could not OR would not answer. I did inform her in my defense that I know of at least one political group which meets at the library in one of the meeting rooms each month: The Lauderdale County Democratic Party. She would not address this either. She just kept repeating the line that she would "consult with the board". She was determined not to address my concerns so I asked her when she would let me know of the "boards" decision and she said: "Next week". I did ask for and received a copy of the "meeting room policy" and in reviewing the policy I was right. As I had tried to relay: the group I am proposing to have meet in no way violates the terms of the library meeting room policy. BUT, I may have been wanting to have a meeting Betterton and crew did not want me to have! This is a glaring example of WHAT we are up against in Florence and WHY we must work harder than ever to VOTE EM ALL OUT!

Rhea Tays Fulmer Finally Speaks - Unfortunately

Rhea Tays Fulmer, current Lauderdale County commissioner from District 1, has finally spoken out on an issue. Unfortunately, this has not been a county issue before Mrs. Fulmer spoke out. Now it has the potential to divide the county.

Mrs. Fulmer has recently questioned the makeup of the Florence-Lauderdale Library Board, currently consisting of five individuals who reside within the city limits of Florence. The Lauderdale County Commission prorates library funding among all the libraries located within the county; however, it does provide an extra stipend for the Florence library since over 30% of its documented patrons reside outside the city limits.

Should the Florence Library Board add a member from the county? In case the answer should prove to be yes, just how would a member be chosen? Would the member reside in Mrs. Fulmer's District I which has a larger population base than District II in the western portion of the county?

Perhaps more importantly, should this criterion apply with all Lauderdale County library boards? Rogersville, the second largest Lauderdale city, currently has a five-member board with all members residing within that city. Yet this library remains open late two nights a week, serving citizens of Florence who are returning from work in Athens, Madison, and Huntsville. Logically, shouldn't a Florentine serve on Rogersville's board?

Should Mrs. Fulmer's suggestion come to fruition, you can count on Shoalanda applying for a position on Rogersville's board. I know both library director Teresa Garner and board member Joan Sokol and I'm quite sure sure they don't have enough humor in their lives.


What's up with this: Russellville has begun their streetscaping project--nothing like dismantled sidewalks and road graders to enhance the Watermelon Festival next month.

Read on the Cheap

We hope all of our readers are just that--avid readers. When the temperature drops, there's nothing like cuddling up and reading a best seller that's just been lying on our bookshelf.

What, you couldn't afford thirty dollars for that hardback best seller? Don't worry, a couple of local libraries are about to hook you up. Until January 31, the Friends Store at the Florence Library is selling all hardback fiction at half price, making the majority of the books not over $2.50. There's also a large selection of mass market and trade paperbacks on sale. Any book marked with a white sticker is half price.

February is certainly the month for romance, and once again the Florence Public Library and Killen Library bookstores will be offering all mass market romances for half price. If you're not familiar with the Killen Bookstore, it sits just to the east of the library in an older giraffe house. The Killen store is open only on Fridays and Saturdays and is well worth the drive. Tell them Shoalanda sent you.


Notice: All political and legal advertising will now be placed in one of our sister blogs. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Terrye Sledge-Terry Digital Archive

The city of Florence is indeed fortunate to boast the public library on Wood Avenue. Any town would be proud of these facilities, but for a community the size of Florence to have such a beautiful and functional structure speaks volumes about the dedication of its residents.

For many years, Terrye Sledge was Director of the Tuscumbia Public Library. After her marriage to Fred Terry, she left the library system briefly, but returned to work as Assistant Director of the Florence Public Library, where she remained until her death earlier this year.

Those who knew Terrye loved her for her smile and her dedication to the library systems in the Shoals area. She did not have the traditional family in her youth, but her mother, grandmother, and great-aunt instilled a love of community in Terrye, and she brought it to her work. Before her illness, she helped establish the growing Digital Archive in the Florence Library.

This archive is currently digitizing photographs and records from Florence and the entire Shoals community. When finished, it will provide an invaluable outlet for genealogists, local historians, and anyone who wishes to browse the collection.

Donations to the Digital Archive in honor of a loved one make a wonderful Christmas present. I hope all who are reading this will consider a donation, and in doing so honor Terrye Sledge-Terry as well.


What's up with this: It seems we have $50,000.00 invested in a de-icing system on O'Neal Bridge that doesn't work. Could we at least get that rusting edifice painted?